Boxing News: Bob Arum finalising undercard for Pacquiao-Bradley fight

Manny Pacquiao said he has started to work on his strength and conditioning ahead of the Filipino’s training camp for his fight against Timothy Bradley.
Reuters/Eduardo Munoz

Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum is coming up with a list of world class undercard fights in the Pacquiao vs Bradley trilogy on Apr. 9 at the MGM Grand Arena.

Arum is setting up the undercards for a third installment of Manny Pacquiao against Timothy Bradley, according to Steve Kim of Boxing Scene. The 84-year-old American businessman included WBO super middleweight Arthur Abraham and mandatory challenger Gilberto Ramirez as the chief supporting bout to Pacquiao-Bradley III.

"I'm going to do an all-Hispanic undercard," Arum said. "So we're going to talk to (manager) Frank (Espinoza) about an Oscar Valdez fight and also, definitely Jose Ramirez will be on in a really good fight."

In 2012, Pacquiao lost his first bout against Bradley in a controversial split-decision, then bounced back to defeat the former multiple division champion by unanimous decision two years later. But the third chapter of their rivalry could present a different result, with Pacquiao coming off a shoulder injury, while Bradley renewing his boxing career in the hands of new trainer Teddy Atlas.

However, according to Matthew Jr Hunter of Boxing News 24, the Pacquiao-Bradley rubber match does not seem to interest boxing fans as much as they were when Floyd Mayweather Jr. took on Andre Berto before retiring from the sport. Hunter also noted that Bradley does not bring anything to the card compared to other potential fighters like Terence Crawford, Amir Khan, and Adrien Broner.

Pacquiao, who is expected to retire after his scheduled fight against Bradley, has already started flexing his muscles a bit ahead of the final boxing showdown of his career. Abac Cordero of the Philippine Star reported that the former eight-division titlist has been active in physical activities and will soon open up training in the Philippines before moving to Las Vegas weeks before the match date.

“I will start my training here in the Philippines although I have already been working on my strength and conditioning,” Pacquiao said.